Hydrostatic

Pressure on a Partially and Fully

Submerged Vertical Rectangular Surface
R. Helm

ABSTRACT. Hydrostatic Pressure Systems allow for the measurement and

development of hydrostatic force and center of pressure equations and values
necessary to build and evaluate fluid systems. To demonstrate this capability, known
masses were added to one end of an Edibon Hydrostatic Pressure System, and water
was added into the system until the arm was level (balancing the moment about the
pivot). The corresponding height of the water was recorded and used to calculate the
center of pressure and hydrostatic force on the vertical rectangular quadrant. These
values were plotted against the height of the water. This process was repeated for both
partially and fully submerged surfaces. For the partially submerged surface, the center
of pressure had a linear relationship with the height of the water, while there was a
power relationship between these variables for a fully submerged surface. For the
partially submerged surface, hydrostatic force had a power relationship with the
height of the water, and, for a fully submerged surface, hydrostatic force had a linear
relationship with the height of the water. Thus, in both cases, the data collected
verified the relationships of center of pressure and hydrostatic force against height
presented in the given equations. Because the moment about the pivot must be zero,
the relationship between mass and height further confirmed these findings. In order to
assess the accuracy of the measurements taken by the pressure system, the theoretical
heights were compared to the experimental values of height. Because the slope of this
relationship was nearly one, the accuracy of the pressure system was confirmed, and
no calibration was needed. The plot of standard deviation between theoretical and
measured height against measured height supports this result. Keywords. Hydrostatic
Pressure System, hydrostatic force, center of pressure


ydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the
weight of fluid above the surface. Hydrostatic pressure and its resulting

force
have a wide variety of applications. These applications are as
widespread as assembly line processes to irrigation and studies of soil properties.
Thus, it is important to be able to measure and develop equations for hydrostatic
force due to pressure as well as the center of pressure at which this force acts
(engal and Cimbala, 2014).

One device used to measure hydrostatic force is an Edibon Hydrostatics
Pressure system. This device (fig. 1) is based on the principle that the sum of the
moments about the pivot must be equal to zero. Thus, the moment due to the weight
of the masses applied to the left end must be equal to the moment due to the
hydrostatic force acting on the vertical rectangular quadrant (Humpherys, 1991).
When known masses are applied to the end of the system, the pivot rotates. In order
to balance the moment caused by the weight of the masses and return the pivot to
equilibrium, water is added into the chamber of the pressure system.

















Figure 1. Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure Systems with weights

applied to the arm (left), the pivot in equilibrium (right), and

the chamber filled with water.




Using the known masses applied to the end of the system and the height of
the water in the chamber, the center of pressure and hydrostatic force as well as
mass can be determined using a series of equations. However, the relations for a
partially submerged surface are different from those for a fully submerged surface.
The relations for a partially submerged vertical rectangular surface are given in
equations 1,2, and 3. The relations for a fully submerged rectangular surface are
given in equations 4,5, and 6. For further clarification of the variables and values for
the constants, figure 2 can be referenced.

!"
!
= !! + ! ! (1)

where


m= mass applied to end of pressure system (kg)


= density of the fluid in the chamber (water) (kg/m3)


b= depth of surface where pressure is applied (m)


L= length of balance bridge arm from weights to pivot (m)


a= height from arm to top of lower surface (m)


d= height of lower surface (m)


h= height of fluid (water) in chamber (m)

!
! = + ! (2)

where


hp= center of pressure measured from top (m)


a= height from arm to top of lower surface (m)


d= height of lower surface (m)


h= height of fluid (water) in chamber (m)

= ! ! (3)

where


F= hydrostatic force acting on the vertical rectangular surface (N)


= density of the fluid in the chamber (water) (kg/m3)


g= acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)


h=height of fluid (water) in chamber (m)


b= depth of surface where pressure is applied (m)

=

!"#
!

!!

( + ! + !" !!!.!! )( 0.5) (4)

where

m= mass applied to end of pressure system (kg)

= density of the fluid in the chamber (water) (kg/m3)

d= height of lower surface (m)

L= length of arm from weights to pivot (m)

a= height from arm to top of lower surface (m)

h= height of fluid (water) in chamber (m)
!

! = + ! +

!!
!
!

!"(!! )

(5)

where


hp= center of pressure measured from top (m)


a= height from balance bridge arm to top of lower surface (m)


d= height of lower surface (m)


h= height of fluid (water) in chamber (m)

!
= ! (6)

where


F= hydrostatic force acting on the vertical rectangular surface (N)


= density of the fluid in the chamber (water) (kg/m3)


g= acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)


h=height of fluid (water) in chamber (m)


d= height of lower surface (m)
















Figure 2. Sketch of Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure

System including variable clarification and values.


Once these values have been calculated, the relationships between height and
mass, center of pressure, or hydrostatic force can be analyzed. Analysis of these
plots is important in confirming that equations 1 through 6 properly represent the
relationships between variables.

It is also important to analyze the quality of the data collected by the Edibon
Hydrostatics Pressure System. Thus, using the known masses applied to the balance
bridge arm, the theoretical height can be calculated using equations 1 and 4.
Assuming these equations properly represent the system, this theoretical value of
height can be compared to the height measured off of the pressure system. This
relationship is representative of the quality of the data collected.

OBJECTIVES.

The objectives of this study are (a) to determine and analyze the
relationships of hydrostatic force and center of pressure with respect to the height
of the water in the pressure system chamber, (b) to confirm that these relationships
are represented in the given equations, and (c) to assess the accuracy of the
measurements produced by the Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure System.

METHODS AND MATERIALS.

DATA COLLECTION.

An Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure System was set on a flat surface. The
chamber was filled with water until the balance bridge arm was level and the height
read zero (at the bottom of the quadrant) (fig.3). Known masses (kg) were added to
the left side of the arm. To balance the moment about the pivot, water was added
into the chamber until the balance bridge arm was level again. The drain was also
used to help level the arm. The corresponding water height (mm) was recorded.
















Figure 3. Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure System

leveled at a water height of 0 mm.




This process was repeated for the partially submerged surface as mass was
added in increments of 10 kg until the water height reached approximately 96 mm.
At this point, water was added to that the vertical rectangular plate was fully
submerged at 100 mm. The balance bridge arm was leveled at a water height of 100
mm by adding masses until the total mass reached approximately 225 g.

Now fully submerged, the known masses were added in increments of 50 g to
the left side of the balance bridge arm. Water addition and the drain were used to
level the balance bridge arm. The corresponding water height was recorded. This
process was continued until the water height reached 160 mm which occurred with
a mass of 450 g.

DATA ANALYSIS.

The water heights were converted into meters, and the masses were
converted into kilograms using equations 7 and 8 respectively.

1 = 0.001 (7)

1 = 0.001 (8)


For the partially submerged surface (water heights under 100 mm),
equations 1-3 were used to calculate theoretical height, the center of pressure, and
the hydrostatic force acting on the surface respectively. The applied masses were
then plotted against the corresponding theoretical heights, the theoretical heights
were plotted against the measured heights for the same masses, the centers of
pressure was plotted against the corresponding measured heights, and the
hydrostatic forces were plotted against the corresponding measured heights.

Theoretical Height (m)

The standard deviation was additionally calculated between the theoretical
water heights and the measured water heights for each of the masses. A graph of the
standard deviation against the measured height was developed for the partially
submerged surface.

For the fully submerged surface (water heights greater than 100 mm),
equations 4-6 were used to calculate theoretical height, the center of pressure, and
the hydrostatic force acting on the surface respectively. Once again, these values
were used to develop plots of various relationships (the applied masses versus the
corresponding theoretical heights, the theoretical heights versus the measured
heights for the same masses, the centers of pressure versus the corresponding
measured heights, and the hydrostatic forces versus the corresponding measured
heights).

The standard deviations between the theoretical heights and the measured
heights of water for the fully submerged surface were calculated. The results were
plotted against the corresponding measured heights.


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.
Effect on Partially Submerged Surface.

In a plot of theoretical height versus measured height of water for a given
mass (fig. 4), there is a linear relationship with a slope of approximately one for a
partially submerged surface. This relationship fits the height measured from the
Hydrostatic Pressure System with an R2 value of 0.99982. Thus, the measured
height is approximately equal to the theoretical height corresponding to the applied
mass (the height measured by the pressure system is accurate). As a result,
calibration of the pressure system is not needed.



0.12

y = 1.0458x
R
= 0.99982

0.1


0.08

0.06


0.04


0.02


0

0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12

Measured Height (m)



Figure 4. Theoretical Height versus Measured Height of water

in chamber for a corresponding applied mass for a partially

submerged surface.

Standard Deviation (m)

The results given in figure 4 are further supported by the plot of the standard
deviation between the theoretical and measured height of water versus the
measured height of water in the chamber (fig. 5). The standard deviation varies little
with change in water height (the plot is almost horizontal). Also, the measured
height of the water is varied by less than 0.005 m from the theoretical value for
height. Also, the percent error in height measurements remained below 7%: within
the acceptable error of 15%. Thus, the heights measured from the pressure system
are close in value to the theoretical heights. As a result, there is no need for
calibration.


0.02



0.015



0.01


0.005



0

0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12

Measured Height (m)



Figure 5. Standard Deviation between theoretical and measured

height of water versus the measured height of water in the

chamber for a partially submerged surface.



As demonstrated by figure 6, as the height of water in the chamber of the
pressure system increases, the hydrostatic force on the vertical rectangular surface
of the quadrant increases as well. A power model represents this relationship
between hydrostatic force and measured height. . Due to the power relationship
between variables, as height increases, each resulting change in height results in a
larger increase in the value of hydrostatic pressure. The power model fits the data
with an R2 value of 1, so the model also supports the relation between hydrostatic
force and height given in equation 3.

Hydrostatic Force (N)

3.5
3

y = 343.35x2
R = 1

Mass (kg)

2.5


2

1.5


1

0.5


0

0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12

Measured Height (m)



Figure 6. Relationship between hydrostatic force acting on the

vertical rectangular surface and the measured height of water

for a partially submerged surface.



Since the measured height is approximately equal to the theoretical height
(fig. 4), a plot of the relationship between mass and theoretical height can be used
for analysis as well. Since the moment about the pivot on the right end of the
balance bridge arm must be equal to zero, the moment due to the weight of the
applied masses is equal to the moment due to the hydrostatic force on the surface.
As a result, as height increases, hydrostatic force increases (fig. 6), and mass (and
thus weight) must increase as well (fig. 7). As a result, figure 7 is supportive of the
results presented in figure 6. Figure 7 is also confirmation of the relationship
between mass and height given in equation 1. Similar to equation 1, the model
between mass and theoretical height is polynomial, which fits the collected data
with an R2 value of 0.99972.


0.25


y = 18.715x2 + 0.194x

0.2
R = 0.99972


0.15


0.1


0.05


0

0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12

Theoretical Height (m)



Figure 7. Relationship between applied mass and theoretical
height of water in the chamber for a partially submerged
surface.

Center of Pressure (m)

The data collected from the hydrostatics pressure system is also able to
provide information on the center of pressure on the vertical surface at various
heights (fig. 8). Similar to the linear relationship between the center of pressure and
height given in equation 2, the plot of the center of pressure versus the measured
height of water for a partially submerged surface is a linear model supported by an
R2 value of 1. Thus, as water height increases in the chamber, the center of pressure
(measured from the balance bridge arm down) decreases. In fact, as the height of
the water in the chamber increases, the center of pressure approaches the centroid
of the surface (0.15 m). Similar results were reported by Humpherys (1991) in his
study of Center-of-Pressure Gates.


0.2

0.195


0.19


0.185


0.18

0.175

y = -0.3333x + 0.2

R = 1
0.17



0.165

0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12

Measured Height (m)



Figure 8. Center of pressure on the vertical rectangular

quadrant versus the measured height of water in the chamber

for a partially submerged surface.


The procedure used to determine the relationship of the center of pressure
and hydrostatic force with height or depth of the water for a partially submerged
surface is similar to a procedure used during study of sessile drops (Tadmor and
Yadav, 2007).

Effect on Fully Submerged Surface.

Similar to the results found under the study of a partially submerged surface,
the relationship between the theoretical and measured height for a fully submerged
surface at a given applied weight is linear (fig. 9). This relationship fits the data
gathered from the pressure system with an R2 value of 0.9912. Since the slope of the
plot is approximately one, the measured height of the water in the chamber is
approximately equal to the theoretical value of the height of water at a given mass.
Thus, no calibration is needed due to the relative accuracy of the measurements for
a fully submerged surface.

0.16

Standard Deviation (m)

Theoretical Height (m)

0.15


0.14

y = 0.9342x
0.13
R
= 0.9912

0.12


0.11

0.1


0.09


0.08

0.1
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.15
0.16
0.17

Measured Height (m)



Figure 9. Theoretical height versus measured height of water

in the chamber for a fully submerged surface.



The accuracy of the measurements taken by the hydrostatics pressure
system is also supported by the plot of the standard deviation between theoretical
height and measured height, and the measured height of water in the chamber. Like
figure 5, the plot of standard deviation and measured height for a fully submerged
surface is nearly horizontal (fig. 10). Because the standard deviation is less than
0.01 m at all heights, the measured height is relatively close in value to theoretical
height. While the measured heights vary more from the theoretical heights for a
fully submerged surface than the partially submerged surface, the variation is still
low. In fact, the percent error in height measurements remained below 7%: well
under the acceptable error of 15%. Thus, figure 10 is confirmation that the
hydrostatics pressure system does not need to be calibrated.


Unlike
0.03


0.025


0.02

0.015


0.01


0.005

0
0.1

0.11

0.12

0.13

0.14

0.15

0.16

Measured Height (m)

Figure 10. Standard Deviation between theoretical and

measured height versus measured height of water in the
chamber for a fully submerged surface.

0.17

Hydrostatic Force (N)

Unlike the plot for hydrostatic force versus measured height of a partially
submerged surface (fig. 6), the hydrostatic force versus measured height for a fully
submerged vertical rectangular surface fits a linear model with an R2 value of 1 (fig.
11). Thus, this model is also consistent with the relationship between height and
hydrostatic force given in equation 6. As shown in the graph, hydrostatic force is
increasing steadily with the increasing height of water in the chamber of the
pressure system. Similar results were found in the study of slopes under drawdown
conditions (Lane and Griffiths, 2000).


8

7


6
y = 68.67x - 3.4335

R = 1
5

4


3

2

1


0

0.1
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.15
0.16
0.17

Measured Height (m)



Figure 11. Hydrostatic force versus measured height of water

in the chamber for a fully submerged surface.




Similar to figure 7, the plot of applied mass versus theoretical height for a
fully submerged surface reaffirms the results of the plot for hydrostatic force versus
measured height of the water (fig. 12). Since the theoretical height is approximately
equal to the measured height, the plot is confirmation that, as the height of water in
the chamber increases; the applied mass must also increase. This is once again due
to the fact that the moments about the pivot must balance. As the height of water in
the chamber increases, the applied mass must also increase to counteract the
moment due to the hydrostatic force acting on the quadrant (fig. 11). However,
unlike the plot for a partially submerged surface, the plot of applied mass versus
theoretical height is linear for a fully submerged surface with an R2 value of
0.99854. Thus, the relationship between mass and height given in equation 4 is
supported by this plot.

Center of Pressure (m)

Mass (kg)

0.5

y = 3.8228x - 0.1279

0.45
R = 0.99854

0.4


0.35


0.3


0.25

0.2

0.08 0.09
0.1
0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16

Theoretical Height (m)



Figure 12. Relationship between applied mass and the

theoretical height of water in the chamber for a fully

submerged surface.



Unlike the graph of center of pressure versus measured height for a partially
submerged surface (fig. 8), the plot of the center of pressure (measured from the
balance bridge arm down) and measured height is a power model with an R2 value
of 0.98633 (fig. 13). Thus, this relationship is confirmation of the relationship
between center of pressure and height given in equation 5. Similar to the partially
submerged surface, as height increases, the center of pressure is decreasing towards
to centroid of the vertical rectangular surface. In other words, the distance of the
center of pressure from the arm decreases as the height of water in the chamber
increases. These results are once again supported by the study of Center-of-
Pressure gates (Humpherys, 1991).


0.165

0.164

0.163

0.162


0.161

0.16

0.159

y = 0.1295x-0.106
0.158

R = 0.98633

0.157
0.156
0.1

0.11

0.12

0.13

0.14

0.15

0.16

0.17

Measured Height (m)

Figure 13. Center of pressure on the quadrant versus the

measured height of water in the chamber for a fully submerged
surface.

Causes for Error.

While in general the results seem to be in line with what is expected, there is
still the possibility of error. This may be due to a variety of mistakes in the
experiment. For example, there is the possibility of human error in reading when
the balance bridge arm is level. This would lead to an inaccurate water height
reading, which would consequently affect everything height was used to calculate.
There may also have been human error in reading the height of the water in the
chamber: also affecting the height measurement and all subsequent calculations.

Experimentally, a source of error may be in the possibility of water splashing
onto the balance bridge arm while it was poured. This would cause an artificial
increase in weight beyond the weight due to the applied masses. As a result, the
hydrostatic force to counteract the masses moment would also be artificially high,
and an artificially high water height would be read off the pressure system. Finally,
the applied masses were not weighed prior to their application onto the balance
bridge arm. Thus, the applied mass may weigh more due to accumulation of oils
from being handled. As a result, an artificially high mass would be recorded,
resulting in what appears to be a water height that it too high. However, these
errors are so minor that it is likely that, even if they were present in the experiment,
they would have little, to no, effect on the results.

CONCLUSIONS.

The Edibon Hydrostatics Pressure System accurately measures the height of
the water in the chamber needed to calculate both hydrostatic force acting on the
vertical rectangular quadrant and the center of pressure at which this force acts,
with a low standard deviation from the theoretical water height for both partially
and fully submerged surfaces. This is confirmed by the linear plots of theoretical
versus measured water height in which the slope is approximately one for both the
partially and fully submerged surfaces.

The data gathered from the pressure system also supports the relationships
between variables as they are presented in the equations given to calculate
hydrostatic force, center of pressure, and mass. In other words, the hydrostatic force
acting on both partially and fully submerged vertical rectangular surface increases
as the height of the fluid (water) in the chamber increases. This relationship is
supported by the plots of mass versus theoretical height when the balance of the
moments about the pivot is considered. For both partially and fully submerged
surfaces, the center of pressure (measured from the balance bridge arm down)
decreases towards the centroid of the quadrant as the height of water in the
chamber increases.

REFERENCES.

engel, Y. A., & Cimbala, J. M. (2014). In Fluid mechanics: Fundamentals and
Applications (3rd ed., pp. 38-59). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher
Education.

Humpherys, A. S. (1991). Center-of-Pressure Gates for Irrigation. Applied

Engineering in Agriculture, 7(2), 185-192. (doi: 10.13031/2013.26209)
@1991
Lane, P. A., & Griffiths, D. V. (2000). Assessment of Stability of Slopes under
Drawdown Conditions. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental
Engineering, 126(5), 443-450. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-
0241(2000)126:5(443)@2000
Tadmor, R., & Yadav, P. S. (2007). As-Placed Contact Angles for Sessile Drops.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 317(1), 241-246.
doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2007.09.029@2007

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

This study was conducted in the Department of Biosystems Engineering lab

at Auburn University. The assistance of Dr. O. Fasina in experimental equations and

expertise on data analysis is gratefully acknowledged.